The ERA uses three bibliometric methods to evaluate research publication quality in disciplines where at least half of the total output of the discipline is indexed by the citation information supplier (Scopus for the 2009 Trial). These are:

1. Relative citation impact, calculated against Australian institution and world benchmarks
2. Distribution of papers against relative citation impact classes; and
3. Distribution of papers based on world centile threshold and Australian institution average.

Notes

• self-citations will not be removed
• the ERA will derive benchmarks for each discipline (as defined by a four digit Field of Research Code (FoR))
• field (FoR code) specific benchmarks will be constructed from data relating to the journals assigned to each FoR code to overcome field specific citing behaviours/patterns.
• The ERA will use year-specific benchmarks for each FoR code

For further information please refer to

• pages 23, 24 and 25 of the ERA Trial Evaluation Guidelines
• and to pages 6 - 12 of the ERA Indicator Benchmark Methodology

What publication data is submitted to the ERA?

How is the ERA using citation metrics?

ERA Citation analysis (and benchmarking)

ERA Ranked Journal Profiling (and benchmarking)

FoR codes